The People says Mata has been pursued by Arsenal as well this summer, but once again the Gunners have not moved quickly enough to seal a deal as Arsene Wenger stuttered over meeting his £22m release clause.

Chelsea’s case was given a huge help by record signing Torres being in regular contact with his Spain team-mate.

He was desperate for the Mata deal to go through, so has been calling and sending SMS messages to his pal.

Mata, 23, will add a new dimension to the Blues’ attack and the Villas-Boas plan is that his creativity from either wing can help £50m forward Torres flourish.